Google Home Mini (2017)

Good looks ; Affordable

No 3.5mm or Bluetooth audio output ; No top touch controls besides volume

A neat way to add smart home control where you need it, the Google Home Mini is a great-looking mini speaker with tonnes of features but it lacks some of its rival's flexibility

Integrates with Google Cast Offers Bluetooth support IoT-friendly Incredible value

Sound performance is weak

The Home Mini is the cheapest way of buying into the Assistant yet for those looking to buy into Google’s smart home ecosystem. While it's a good value for the price, its poor sound performance makes it a better desk buddy than a standalone speaker.

Affordable Google Assistant ; Chromecast compatibility ; Fine sound for speech radio

Sound quality is average for music ; No aux or Bluetooth output ; Device support could be better

There’s room for improvement with all AI devices, but the Home Mini does what it sets out to do in fine style

Attractive design ; Google Assistant delivers good responses to questions ; Growing support for third-party devices ; Great companion to Home Hub

Fabric won't clean easily ; No audio output ; Sound quality isn't great (but then it's not designed as a speaker for music ; Really)

Google Home Mini is all about voice-control and expanding the Google system around your home. And on that front, it achieves exactly what it sets out to do.

Compact and subtle ; Impressive mics ; Smart app control

Music lacks oomph ; Alexa still better

Fluffy, friendly design ; Sounds better than an Echo Dot ; Just as knowledgeable as bigger Home ; Strong smart home support ; Recognises the voices of up to six people and gives personalised replies ; Good value

Doesn’t have a 3.5mm line-out or have Bluetooth out ; Touch buttons on the top have been disabled ; Still favours Google services over others ; Echo still more versatile for music and shopping

The friendliest and most knowledgeable mini smart speaker around, but the Echo Dot remains the better all-rounder

The Google Home Mini would be a nailed-on five-star product if Google had only spent a couple of quid putting in a 3.5mm headphone jack in every unit. I just can’t understand the rationale of skipping it – maybe Google sees its products as more about...